Ping Mamiya, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Bio

Dr. Mamiya is a research scientist working with Dr. Patricia Kuhl on how dopamine and serotonin mediates language learning through modulation of neural activity in the prefrontal cortex. She earned her Ph.D. in Department of Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience at Rutgers University where she investigated the dysfunctions of dopamine and serotonin systems in EphA5 knockout animal, and developed a nanofiber system to enhance the growth of dopaminergic neurons. Her research at I-LABS focuses on the relationship between the language learning ability and 1) polymorphism of dopamine and serotonin transporter genes and 2) the size of dopamine and serotonin projection fibers to the prefrontal cortex. By examining these relationships in both adults and infants, her research aims to further our understanding of how social interactions may facilitate language learning through dopamine/serotonin mediated modulation of prefrontal executive functions.

My research addresses two fundamental quesitons in neuroscience: 1) how does an adult human brain modify its structure during learning? and 2) how is this process controlled by the neuromodulators. I believe that the information I will gain from studying these two questions will enable me to understand the differences in individuals’ learning abilities.
To answer these two questions, I use the multimodal structural brain imaging to document how the structural changes occur in human brains in vivo, and I use the high throughput DNA sequencing to study genetic variations in genes related to the neuromodulatory systems to understand brain neuromodulator levels. I then apply biostatistical modeling to identify genetic variants that have the potential to change the brain structure during learning in individuals. Using each individual’s brain structural and genetic characteristics, I bulid biostatistical models to predict the learning outcome.

CV

EDUCATION

2006 Ph.D. Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience
Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
2004 M.S. Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience
Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
1997 B.S. Psychology
Kaoshiung Medical College, Kaoshiung, Taiwan

Publications

PUBLICATIONS

Mamiya, PC, Richards, T, Coe, BP, Eichler, EE and Kuhl, PK. Brain white matter structure and COMT gene are linked to second language learning in adults. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2016 June 28; 113(26): 7259-54.